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Building Buddhist temples, placing statues under Bo-trees: Have negated reconciliation efforts

23 August 2016 10:37 pm - 38     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Government Spokesman and Minister Rajitha Senaratne said building Buddhist temples, placing Buddha statues under Bo-trees and at junctions by the security forces after defeating the LTTE in the North-East had not done any good other than to negate the government's reconciliation efforts.

“On several occasions, I spoke to President Mahinda Rajapaksa on this matter. He accepted the negative impact of these actions but said it was not possible to stop armed forces personnel from doing so,” he said.

The minister said though places of religious observances had been erected at every opportunity, there were no Buddhist devotees to maintain them resulting in these places being abandoned.(Sandun A Jayasekera)


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  Comments - 38

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  • ruwan Wednesday, 24 August 2016 11:33 AM

    This is the main bloody problem country is facing and never hace real peace or harmony.

    SL Wednesday, 24 August 2016 10:07 AM

    Buddhist are being alienated by this government .No wonder people like him with no value and having four five tongs spitting things like that.He has no argument with other religions and their constructions but with Buddhists constructions

    PilotAiya Wednesday, 24 August 2016 10:12 AM

    Wow what a great idea from the greatest politician to grace the earth. let us get rid of them. To further warm the hearts of all communities let us place statutes of hindu deities statues in random places where there is a high concentration of Buddhists. Why not go all the way and ban Buddhism altogether. I'm sure that would solve everything.

    predictor Wednesday, 24 August 2016 10:12 AM

    srilanka is a Buddhist countrybut all the srilankan are not Buddhist. .... via DM Android App

    Aba Jayasekera Wednesday, 24 August 2016 10:17 AM

    Maybe, but these must be done at the expense of Buddhist devotees in the area

    Daily Boru Wednesday, 24 August 2016 10:27 AM

    like Saudi Arabia Islam.

    Ananda Wednesday, 24 August 2016 10:35 AM

    What the minister says is quite correct. These stupid actions create religious disharmony. They must be given strict orders to desist from such acts. via DM Android App

    udaya Wednesday, 24 August 2016 10:54 AM

    Some places in south we can see Buddha statues placed in Junctions and pavement but not properly maintain. The big statute has given more respects but not to the small statues. Need to bring some law on this do not make disgraceful to Buddha statues. If we see Thailand how they are respecting Budhha statues.

    Jagath Leanage Wednesday, 24 August 2016 10:57 AM

    Agreed .

    Sri Wednesday, 24 August 2016 11:08 AM

    Sri lanka might be a buddhist country, but the buddha would be ashamed of what is happening in his name. Who gives you the right to build and erect those on other's property, in places where buddhists do not live?

    Ragu - London Wednesday, 24 August 2016 09:52 AM

    Buddha was installed in every street corners and junctions as a Sinhalese domination in the north but he doesn't belong to one community or country, he belongs to everyone who follow his teaching, including tamils!

    ruwan Wednesday, 24 August 2016 11:35 AM

    At least one minister has openly admitted.

    Lokka Wednesday, 24 August 2016 11:46 AM

    Dont tell the forces what to do. via DM Android App

    AA Wednesday, 24 August 2016 12:01 PM

    I agree SRI LANKA is a Buddhist Country. However, how many of you all practice the teaching of great LORD BUDDHA. If you all practice the teaching of LORD BUDDHA, there would not be any corruption, any racism, any misdeed.

    Real Peace Wednesday, 24 August 2016 12:11 PM

    What Rajitha says is 100% correct. Under military guard the military is building Budhist statues etc in many places in the North. How many Hindu, Christian or Muslim places of worship built by the military anywhere in Sri Lanka? It's sad military is behaving like a racist occupying force in the North. Very sad.

    karu Wednesday, 24 August 2016 02:52 PM

    You have spoken the truth. But you don't have the courage to stop it. Then what is the point.

    MELWIL Wednesday, 24 August 2016 02:56 PM

    We are all Kalla Thonys. This land belongs to Vanniye Attho.

    nanda Monday, 29 August 2016 12:26 PM

    They should have courage to stop building too many religious symbols by other religions as well in the rest of the country.

    Ratna Tuesday, 30 August 2016 10:11 AM

    Then again Tamil Eelam,a Hindu country?

    ralahamy Wednesday, 24 August 2016 09:01 AM

    Very correct. But our Buddhist religion does not confine to erecting statues and planting Bo trees. It should come in a daily life, starting from the clergies. When this is achieved, you may not need army but peace makers.

    Veda-mama Wednesday, 24 August 2016 06:25 AM

    Talking Sense once in a blue moon.

    John Wednesday, 24 August 2016 08:04 AM

    At last the srilankan brain has started functioning via DM Android App

    Ratnayake Wednesday, 24 August 2016 08:05 AM

    Buddha statues under Bo-trees are more powerful than guns. No atheist will understand it.

    Unchikun Wednesday, 24 August 2016 08:16 AM

    Buddism is a philosophy.

    Srinimal Wednesday, 24 August 2016 08:39 AM

    ohh.. why he spoke to president Mahinda Rajapaksha about this matter via DM Android App

    praba Wednesday, 24 August 2016 08:40 AM

    You are responsible for Yahapalanaya. You should not just talk to the gallery but come up with effective strategy.

    Ceylonese Wednesday, 24 August 2016 08:54 AM

    Did Buddha approve Idol / Idle Worship?

    Sri Lankan Wednesday, 24 August 2016 08:56 AM

    Would have had positive effect if the statues could talk.

    Burt Wednesday, 24 August 2016 08:57 AM

    Who cares?This is where the problem is:"The minister said though places of religious observances had been erected at every opportunity, there were no Buddhist devotees to maintain them resulting in these places being abandoned."

    wtf Wednesday, 24 August 2016 04:44 AM

    Sri Lanka is a Buddhist country!!

    Sincere Wednesday, 24 August 2016 09:04 AM

    If all peoples of this country do things with honesty, integrity and respect for rights of others we can live in a peaceful land.

    sacre blieu Wednesday, 24 August 2016 09:07 AM

    Quite so. After the victory, the immeasurable joy is understandable. But the forces who made very great sacrifices, mostly who gave their lives, should be respected and it is from them that corrective action and reconciliation should be initiated mainly. They enabled the country to return to a civilised state . So, it would be an admirable and very appreciated move if they would beguine to correct this issue and that would be an encouraging route for reconciliation.

    karigalan Wednesday, 24 August 2016 09:17 AM

    A good observation We should move away from religious politicsreligion is personal not political

    Don Wednesday, 24 August 2016 09:17 AM

    True. But how many places of worship do you need? Religion should be a personal matter. If you want you can practice. Don't force others even kids. Your boundary to practice ends ends when it inconveniences others.

    Sujan Wednesday, 24 August 2016 09:18 AM

    wtf: Sri Lanka should be a free country !

    Shanil Samarakoon Wednesday, 24 August 2016 09:30 AM

    No it's not. Nor should it be. We should be secular . There's no way we will have peace if that's not protected.

    Jude Wednesday, 24 August 2016 09:34 AM

    Rajitha is absolutely right!!!?? No sense building and won't serve the real purpose erecting Lord Buddha statues in predominantly Hindu Area!!!! This type of action build animosity and resentment!!!??

    Sanjo Wednesday, 24 August 2016 09:48 AM

    What about the Sinhalese and Muslims chased away by LTTE from those areas? Resettling them back , would it harm the reconciliation?


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